2021 Catholic Partnership Summit Report: Trust, Stewardship, and Synodality for a Thriving Church

Trust, Stewardship, and Synodality for a Thriving Church A REPORT FROM THE

2021 Catholic Partnership Summit

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Table of Contents Opening letter p.3

Stewardship of Potential p.28

Co-Hosts p.4

A View From Rome p.32

OUR MISSION

Guiding Principles p6

J. Donald Monan, SJ Distinguished Catholic Philanthropy Medal p.34

In partnership with lay, ordained, and religious leaders and

Key Concepts p.7

Joan Neal

organizations across all sectors of the Catholic community in the United States and Rome, Leadership Roundtable seeks to elevate and implement best practices in management and leadership to establish a culture of co-responsible, servant leadership for a healthy, thriving Church in the U.S.

Executive Summary p.8 Synodality: The Path Forward p.11 Healing and Strengthening Our Catholic Community in the United States p.14 Stewardship of People p.18

List of Expert Contributors p.36 Leadership Roundtable’s Next Steps p.37 Board and Staff p.42 Summit 2022 p.44 Sponsors p.45

Stewardship of Financial Resources p.22 2

Jennifer Baugh (left) Nicole Perone (center), Darius Villalobos (right)

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Dear Friend, We are excited to present you with our report on the discussions and recommendations developed during the 2021 Catholic Partnership Summit. The Catholic Partnership Summit brings together Catholic leaders every year to address the most pressing challenges and opportunities facing the Church.

The 2021 Catholic Partnership Summit was unique, compared to years past, in numerous and positive ways. We met the challenges of convening during an ongoing pandemic and welcomed the opportunities presented by meeting together just as the global Church prepared to embark on a synodal path of dialogue, discernment, and consultation. Leaders from across the United States, Rome, and seven other countries came together virtually, along with a small group of leaders who gathered personally in Rome, and joined virtually to parts of the Summit.

A palpable sense of hope, determination, and commitment to the mission of the Church accompanied those who attended the Summit. Leaders affirmed the unique opportunities the Church has for charting a bold future as we continue to build a culture of accountability, transparency, and co-responsibility in the Church. Our discussions centered on moving forward from the pandemic, looking deeply at how our Pat Markey (left) and Kim Smolik (right)

Katie Diller Gleason (left) and Rev. Michael Garanzini, SJ (right)

Church stewards its many resources, and how we can embrace the potential that lies ahead.

The call to the Synodal journey was on the top of everyone’s mind, particularly as leaders recognized the urgent need for the Church to listen to all voices, especially those on the periphery, and continually welcome diverse individuals to leadership roles.

Pope Francis has asked all Catholics to come to the table to listen and discern with one another. We hope this report serves as a foundation for the important discussions during the Synodal process and for the entire body of Christ as we collectively forge a path forward as a Church. We invite you to join our Church in discerning its path forward by reading and reflecting upon the recommendations contained herein, sharing them broadly, and implementing them in your communities and organizations.

We hope you enjoy reading the report!

Geno Fernandez Co-chair of the Board

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Elizabeth McCaul Co-chair of the Board

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O UR 2021 CO - H O ST S CARDINALS AND ARCHBISHOPS

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CATHOLIC HIGHER EDUCATION

NATIONAL CATHOLIC ORGANIZATIONS

Archbishop Christophe Pierre

Cardinal Blase Cupich

Cardinal Daniel DiNardo

Rev. John Jenkins, CSC

Rev. William Leahy, SJ

Sr. Mary Bendyna, OP

Sean Callahan

Rev. Frank Donio, SAC

Cardinal Timothy Dolan

Cardinal Kevin J. Farrell

Archbishop José Gomez

John Carr

Kim Daniels

Sr. Sharon Euart, RSM

Sr. Mary Haddad, RSM

Regina Haney

Cardinal Wilton Gregory

Cardinal Seán O’Malley, OFM Cap

Cardinal Joseph Tobin, CSsR

Rev. Michael Garanzini, SJ

Rev. Dennis Holtschneider, CM

Alexia Kelley

John Matthew Knowles

Sr. Donna Markham, OP

Matthew Manion

Pia de Solenni

Elisabeth Román

Sr. Carol Zinn, SSJ

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Guiding Principles

Key Concepts

The 2021 Catholic Partnership Summit sought to build upon recent conversations

The following concepts capture the heart of the dialogue at the Catholic Partnership

surrounding the financial crisis within the Church and the COVID-19 pandemic.

Summit. There was a recognition that:

We also sought to build upon the recommendations from these conversations, as well as our 2020 Catholic Partnership Summit. During our time together we followed the guiding principles for establishing recommendations set forth below.

All recommendations put forth during the 2021 Catholic Partnership Summit were defined to:

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Impact the Catholic Church based on three principles:

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Impact the leadership and management culture of the Church,

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Restore trust in the Church based on measurable,

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2021 Catholic Partnership Summit

accountability, transparency, and co-responsibility

in line with Catholic beliefs, ecclesiology, and canon law

visible outcomes Engage lay, religious, and clergy members of the Catholic faith working together for the mission of the Church Lean forward into new possibilities Be realistic and able to be translated into practical strategy and implementation.

• Our Catholic community will be healthier and stronger when more women, people of color, and young adults are co-responsible with clergy in the leadership of the Church.

• Transparency, accountability, and fraud prevention measures are essential for good governance of the Church and to establish public trust.

• The resources of the Church have greater potential to transform peoples’ lives when they are managed by people who are formed in the best practices of fiscal stewardship.

• It is important for budgets, hiring practices, and asset management to reflect the mission, values and priorities of the Church.

• The Synod is an opportunity to listen and better understand the perspectives of people who are not currently participating in the life of the Church.

• The quality of lay and clergy leadership in the Church is dependent upon the physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being of parish and diocesan leaders.

• The pandemic presented an opportunity to develop new methods of evangelization, catechesis, and collaboration using social media and technology.

• Formation in leadership and other fiscal management skills should be provided and required for all clergy, parish personnel, and members of parish and diocesan advisory councils.

• The Synod will be a great success if it initiates a culture of lay inclusiveness in setting priorities for the Church through the discernment of the Holy Spirit.

• With deep divisions in the Church, we need forums or structures for people of differing ecclesial perspectives to engage in dialogue.

• Because the synodal process is new to most Roman Catholics, dioceses and parishes would benefit from education on its purpose, training on how to conduct synod consultations, and communication structures for processing input.

• We have to learn what it means to truly listen to one another.

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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY of the 2021 Catholic Partnership Summit

Building upon the last two Catholic Partnership Summits, Leadership Roundtable convened the 2021 Catholic Partnership Summit, Building a Church for the Future: Mission, Stewardship, and Restoring Trust in a Post-Pandemic World, just as the Church prepared to embark on a synodal path of dialogue, discernment and consultation.

More than 270 leaders from 74 dioceses across the United States, Guam, Kenya, Canada, the Bahamas, Colombia, and Rome participated in the Summit, which reflected the Church’s rich diversity. University presidents, bishops, philanthropists, chief financial officers, women religious, cardinals, and other lay leaders came together for presentations, prayer, and small group discussions. Reflecting this global spirit of synodality, we were excited to welcome our partners in Rome to the Summit. Leaders from across Vatican dicasteries, congregations and councils gathered at the International Center on Missionary Animation (CIAM).

As the pandemic continued to challenge dioceses, parishes and families in unprecedented ways, the Summit highlighted a renewed sense of hope, determination and commitment to the mission of the Church. Collectively, leaders affirmed the unique opportunities for healing wounds, re-imaging what is possible, and charting a bold future as we continue to build a culture of accountability, transparency and co-responsibility in the Church. Participants also grappled with how this era has underscored the urgency to address systems and institutions that for too long have particularly marginalized women, people of color, and others on the periphery.

This executive summary contains major themes that emerged from Summit speakers and small group discussions.

Healing and Strengthening Our Catholic Community 1. Promote Inclusion and Lay Leadership There is a particular need in the Church to listen to the voices of women, people of color, LGBTQ Catholics, young adults, people with disabilities, and others who often have been excluded from leadership and decision-making. Actively appointing individuals from historically underrepresented groups to leadership positions and creating structures for lay involvement in parish operations, ministries, and outreach are crucial to healing and strengthening our Church.

Additionally, taking steps to professionalize ministerial roles and, where possible, providing paid positions helps ensure the Church recruits and trains those with skills to serve.

2. Prioritize Wellness Many clergy and laity experienced loneliness and isolation during the pandemic. It is vital to promote opportunities for connection and encounter. The Synod process is also a unique chance to bring people who have been excluded, marginalized or wounded by the Church back into the conversation and to listen to those who have left the Church about their decision to leave and identify actions to address the issues involved.

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3. Leverage Technology for Evangelization During the pandemic, parishes and dioceses made technological and social media advances to reach people where they are. The Church can build upon those and push beyond its comfort zone to be more creative in evangelization and pastoral accompaniment.

4. Engage in Dialogue People desire to be heard. Synodality is not an abstraction, but rather offers a model for a listening Church and for ways to become more co-responsible. The Church has an opportunity to create forums and structures for people of differing ecclesial perspectives to engage in dialogue, as well as to identify and implement ways to build a greater sense of community and Chrisitan journey. It starts by asking who is missing from the table and taking actions to ensure those individuals are at the table moving forward.

Stewardship of People 5. Advance Ongoing Clergy Formation All priests should engage in comprehensive, systematic and practical ongoing formation, available through The Basic Plan for the Ongoing Formation of Priests. Providing regular, ongoing leadership and management training to clergy equips them to pastor in a synodal Church that listens to those on the margins and leads co-responsibly with the laity. By reforming

seminary curriculum to prioritize synodality, praxis, inclusion of women, and co-responsibility with laity, and by establishing standards and best practices as well as methods of review, the Church can ensure Catholic institutions are meeting these standards.

6. Prioritize Diversity A thriving Church actively welcomes individuals of all races, ethnicities, ages, genders, and sexual orientations to full participation in the life of the Church. Intentionally opening seats at the leadership table to include people of color, as well as young adults and women, and hiring, supporting and retaining diverse leaders is vital. Diversity must not merely be an ideal. The Church can create and implement accountability mechanisms to assess whether stated goals of inclusion and diverse leadership are being achieved.

7. Establish Formation Opportunities for Co-Responsibility For the lay, religious, and ordained leaders who serve the Church, ongoing training can help leaders better carry out their role in stewarding the Church co-responsibly. Building the capacity of those who serve on finance and parish councils by providing the tools necessary to effectively operate, including training, access to documents, regular discussions, engagement with the bishop, pastor, and staff will keep them responsive to the needs of the diocesan or parish community.

Stewardship of Financial Resources 8. Align Mission and Resources It is important to communicate openly how the parish or diocese is supporting the mission of the Church through financial stewardship. Analyzing the gap between the stated values and the allocation of resources and identifying steps to maximize consistency between values and use of resources will help ensure alignment with mission. The Church can also assign priests and pastors where their talents match the needs and culture of a parish and implement a standardized process for evaluating ordained and lay leaders that includes collecting feedback from the parish community and staff.

9. Establish Standards, Accountability, and Reporting Practices Transparency is a best practice of financial stewardship.

Transparency can take many forms including: developing accurate position descriptions to ensure consistency between skills and the requirements of a position; publishing and making accessible annual financial statements; adopting a pastoral planning process that includes as many people as possible in the discernment of goals and priorities; drafting budgets based on established goals and priorities to ensure those goals and the mission are funded; and requiring conflict

of interest disclosure for all finance council members and anyone who has fiscal decision-making capacity.

10. Equip People for Fiscal Stewardship Fiscal stewardship demands hiring qualified and committed professionals for the management of parish and diocesan administrations. Offering ongoing training and competitive salaries and benefits will enable attracting and retaining highly-competent personnel for these positions. It is also important to empower finance councils to work coresponsibly with staff and clergy to examine all financial aspects and ensure compliance with ethical practices.

Finance council members should be encouraged to take part in networking opportunities for council members as avenues to share best practices for fiscal management, transparency, and ethical practices.

Stewardship of Potential 11. Implement an Inclusive Synodal Process The 2021-23 Synod process offers a unique opportunity for all Catholics to share their ideas and perspectives and discern the will of God for the Church. To stimulate interest and broad participation, the Church should communicate the significance of the Synod process in establishing a culture inclusive of lay leaders in the Church. Leaders should consistently ask “Who are we missing?” from Synodal conversations and take intentional steps to include them in the process. Providing pastors with the tools and training to actively cast a wider net will help ensure diverse participation in the Synodal process while training leaders will ensure effective facilitation of consultations and reporting of results.

12. Partner boldly and broadly The Synod process is an important opportunity for the Church to establish permanent structures of co-responsibility that infuse synodality into the culture, policies, and practices of parishes and dioceses. Co-responsible structures build connections that encourage resource-sharing and collaboration on common themes raised during Synod consultations. Studying the inclusive governance of Eastern Rite Churches and other Churches to consider what practices can become a template for the Church, can also help ensure the Synod remains an ongoing process rather than a single event or program.

13. Approach stewardship with an abundance mindset There is great potential in the Church when its resources are aligned with its mission and our call to synodality.

Rooting financial investments and management of assets in the principles of Catholic Social Teaching, including solidarity, equity, and dignity and utilizing creativity, urgency, and agility in stewardship enable the Church to engage in budgeting and use of resources with an abundance mindset.

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SYNODALITY: THE PATH FORWARD

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In the one People of God, therefore, let us journey together, in order to experience a Church that receives and lives this gift of unity, and is open to the voice of the Spirit. The Synod has three key words: communion, participation and mission.”

n October 2021, the Catholic Church embarked on a global synodal journey, a two-year process of listening and discernment at all levels of the Church that aims to help transform the Church into a synodal body. In keeping with our mission to elevate and implement best leadership practices within the Church, Leadership Roundtable has stepped forward as a partner to the Church on this journey, offering our expertise and resources to ensure the success of the process.

“It is precisely this path of synodality which God expects of the Church of the third millennium,” said Pope Francis.1 1

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A journey together According to the Vatican, the Synodal journey is “both a gift and a task: by journeying together and reflecting together on the journey that has been made, the Church will be able to learn through [its] experience which processes can help [it] to live communion, to achieve participation, to open [itself] to mission. Our ‘journeying together’ is, in fact, what most effectively enacts and manifests the nature of the Church as the pilgrim and missionary People of God.”2

Pope Francis, Ceremony Commemorating the 50th Anniversary of the Institution of the Synod of Bishops, 17 October 2015. https://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/cfaith/cti_documents/rc_cti_20180302_sinodalita_en.html

Synod of Bishops, Preparatory Document, 7 September 2021. https://www.synod.va/content/dam/synod/document/ common/preparatory-document/pdf-21x21/Documento-Preparatorio-EN-21.pdf

–POPE FRANCIS, ADDRESS FOR THE OPENING OF THE SYNOD, OCT. 9, 2021

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Pope Francis walks with young adults on World Youth Day 2016. Credit: Marcin Kądziołka

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The word “synod” comes from the Greek “sunodos” meaning “a meeting; a common way.”3 For the Church, this Synodal journey is a common way taken together by all Catholics, a path to becoming a truly listening, co-responsible Church.

A New Culture During the 2021 Catholic Partnership Summit, leaders discussed the future of the Church — the healing, strengthening, stewardship, and trust required to move forward from the crises of abuse, leadership failures, and financial mismanagement. Leaders made clear during the 2020 Catholic Partnership Summit that a new culture was needed for the Church to thrive.

In 2021, they defined it: Synodality.

Synodality is at its core the opposite of clericalism.

The former: a collaborative approach to decisionmaking that embraces listening and discernment co-responsibly between lay, religious, and ordained; the latter: a belief that the ordained are superior — set above and apart — among the People of God. Pope Francis said “Clericalism arises from an elitist and exclusivist vision of vocation, that interprets the ministry received as a power to be exercised rather than as a free and generous service to be given. This leads us to believe that we belong to a group that has

all the answers and no longer needs to listen or learn anything.”

In the prepartory document for the Synod, the Vatican details that the whole Church is being called to deal with the weight of a culture imbued with clericalism, and with “those forms of exercising authority on which the different types of abuse (power, economic, conscience, sexual) are grafted.”5 To change the Church’s culture, synodality requires humility and courage. Catholic leaders have begun to acknowledge that to truly listen to one another, the Church must not just embrace but must enact a culture of co-responsibility and collaboration.

A Listening Church “It is impossible to think of a conversion of our activity as a Church that does not include the active participation of all the members of God’s People,” Pope Francis wrote in a Letter of His Holiness Pope Francis to the People of God in 2018. “Indeed, whenever we have tried to replace, or silence, or ignore, or reduce the People of God to small elites, we end up creating communities, projects, theological approaches, spiritualities and structures without roots, without memory, without faces, without bodies and ultimately, without lives.”6

It is impossible to think of a conversion of our activity as a Church that does not include the active participation of all the members of God’s People.

– P OP E F R A NC I S

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Synodality breaks down barriers to encounter and dialogue, to co-responsibility and collaboration, that prevent the Church from hearing diverse voices.

Those on the periphery can only be brought into our conversations if we create convening spaces where honest and often challenging dialogue can take place.

There is a particular need to include the voices of women, people of color, LGBTQ Catholics, young adults, people with disabilities, and others who have been historically absent from leadership and decisionmaking. Inviting those who are not in the Church, as well as those who have remained and who have not given up, to share their stories and perspectives will be vital to the success of the Synodal process.

The practices we outline in this resource help ensure the synodal process is easily executed by small and large dioceses and is easily replicable. Additionally, this resource provides the framework for the Church to find and train facilitators to effectively guide the process.

We have also created a companion document with suggestions on how to report synodal consultations.

This document can be found in English and Spanish on our website, leadershiproundtable.org.8

An Invitation for Feedback

As we listen and discern — especially to those often excluded from the conversation — the Church must be open to modifying those practices as the Synodal process progresses, as needed. The ultimate goal of this Synodal process is to learn and adapt as a Church, including for the process itself.

The Church’s flourishing is a task for all of us journeying together as the People of God.

A Path Forward

Synodality opens the door for “feedback loops” in parishes and dioceses and for creating processes of accountability that hold everyone accountable to one another. People have an authentic desire to be heard, for tools to evaluate ministries and leaders, and for a reliable framework for consistent dialogue.

As the Church embarks on this Synodal journey, there is a strong desire among Catholic leaders to obtain the resources necessary to ensure listening sessions and feedback take place at every level of the Church and include diverse voices.

In response to the momentum created by the 2021 Catholic Partnership Summit and the launch of the Synod, Leadership Roundtable created a document of best practices for facilitating synodal consultations drawn from our more than 16 years of leadership development and convening expertise.7 It is available in English and Spanish to dioceses across the world.

Pope Francis reminds us that synodality should not be an abstraction, but that Church leaders should seek creative, inspiring ways to make the themes of co-responsibility and synodality more tangible so they come alive in the hearts of Catholics and in our institutions.

Training individuals at the parish and diocesan level is essential to ensure leaders have the change-management skills necessary to implement the findings of the Synod.

The Synod is often referred to as a “synod on synodality” — a moniker that reflects the importance of the process being undertaken now to shape the future of the Church.

Leadership Roundtable is proud to be collaborating with the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) and the Vatican on this Synodal journey, offering our expertise and resources to ensure the success of the journey to which we have all been called.

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“synodal.” American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. 2011. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company 15 Dec. 2021 https://www.thefreedictionary.com/synodal

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Leadership Roundtable, For a Synodal Church: Communion Participation and Mission. Process for Facilitating Synodal Consultations, 22 October 2021. https://leadershiproundtable.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Process-for-Facilitating-Synodal-Consultations_Oct-2021_FINAL.pdf

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Pope Francis. 2018. Address to the Synod Fathers at the Opening of the Synod on Young People, the Faith, and Vocational Discernment.

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Synod of Bishops, Preparatory Document, 2.

Leadership Roundtable, For a Synodal Church: Communion, Participation, and Mission. Process for Reporting Synodal Consultations, 19 January 2022. https://leadershiproundtable.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Reporting-Synodal-Consultations_Jan-2022-FINAL.pdf”

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Pope Francis, Letter of his Holiness Pope Francis to the People of God, 20 August 2018. https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/ letters/2018/documents/papa-francesco_20180820_lettera-popolo-didio.html#_ftn2

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SESSI O N 1

Healing and Strengthening our Catholic Community in the United States

Pope Francis has urged the Church to act as a “field

Since last summer, he noted, the police killing of

hospital” for those who are wounded. The stark divides

George Floyd has sparked “a long overdue reckoning

in our country and Catholic community have left many

on racial justice in our country.” Brough also observed

alienated, angry, and in need of healing. In the wake of

that on Inauguration Day, “a young Catholic woman,

a violent insurrection at the U.S. Capitol, the enduring

Amanda Gorman, reminded us with her poem, The

sin of systemic racism, and extreme inequality growing

Hill We Climb, that the last tumultuous year has taught

worse during the pandemic, we are called as Catholics

us much if we are able to learn.” The Church, he

to seek justice and greater unity.

said, is called to more deeply “listen to all voices, to lay and ordained voices, to women’s voices, to young

Michael Brough, an Executive Partner at Leadership

adult voices, Black and Latino and Asian and Native

Roundtable, opened the 2021 Catholic Partnership

American and immigrant voices. This is the listening

Summit with a conversation about healing and

we are called to do in our Church.”

strengthening our Catholic community with author and podcast host Gloria Purvis and Fr. Ron Rolheiser,

Reflecting on the signs of the times, Gloria Purvis

OMI, a theologian and acclaimed writer. Brough

observed that “there is a disconnect with our

framed his opening remarks by recalling the powerful

Catholic understanding of freedom and the common

image of Pope Francis delivering his “Urbi et Orbi”

good, and a secular view that the individual has no

(to the city [of Rome] and to the world) blessing in

obligation before his or her own liberty.” This radical

March of 2020 in an empty St. Peter’s Square.

individualism and distorted conception of freedom, she lamented, at times has seeped into our Catholic

“Pope Francis exhorted us to look to the common good,

community during the pandemic as some Catholics

to rethink our priorities and what we value, and to

resisted wearing masks and protested the shutdown

commit to solidarity in our daily life,” Brough said.

of churches.

Rev. Ron Rolheiser, OMI

Gloria Purvis

Michael Brough

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Participants pray at the sending forth ceremony for the Latino Pastoral Leaders cohort in Austin, TX Credit: Gabriel Lujan

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The Church is called to more deeply listen to all voices, to lay and ordained voices, to women’s voices, to young adult voices, Black and Latino and Asian and Native American and immigrant voices. This is the listening we are called to do in our Church.

– M IC H A E L BROUGH

RECOMMENDATIONS

Healing and Strengthening our Catholic Community in the United States PROMOTE LAY LEADERSHIP • Actively appoint to leadership positions, committees, and task forces, individuals from historically underrepresented groups, including women, young adults, and people of color • Create structures and avenues for lay involvement in parish operations, ministries, and outreach • Take steps to professionalize ministerial roles and, where possible, provide paid positions

“We had forgotten what it means to be Catholic,”

“We are a bitterly divided society and a bitterly divided

Purvis said.

Church,” he said. “I’m not sure this country has been as divided since the Civil War.”

George Floyd’s murder by police underscored how

• Recruit, train, and engage volunteers in the leadership of parishes • Recruit and train lay leaders with the skills to serve on finance councils • Engage lay leaders in the decision-making of the parish or diocese

“the sin of racism has limited our understanding of

He described how different theological and eccclessial

human dignity” and made clear that “we have a less

visions among Church leaders often contribute to

than robust understanding when we say each and every

division, to separate factions within the Catholic

person is made in the image of God,” explained Purvis,

community. While division has always been a reality in

a Black woman who has openly confronted racism in

the Church and nation, Fr. Rolheiser noted that “we are

the Church. Purvis also noted that Catholics too often

becoming ever more strident and intolerant, and social

make an idol of politics and ideologies.

media is feeding the worst on both sides.”

• Promote opportunities for connection and encounter to address the loneliness and isolation many clergy and laity experienced during the pandemic

“We let political office-holders and political parties be

The Catholic community can play an important role in

• Utilize the Synod process as an opportunity to bring people who have been excluded, marginalized, or wounded by the Church back into the conversation.

more of a guide for us than examining our Catholic

making “a generative response moving forward” and

teaching,” she said.

that begins, he thinks, with “naming the moment with courage and humility.” Rolheiser urged Catholics to

To heal wounds and move forward together as a

seek out and “wash the feet” of those we disagree with

Church, Purvis emphasized that “we need a wholesale

as a way to heal wounds.

conversation about what it means to be Catholic and to believe in the dignity of the human person.” She

“We should take Jesus and his command to love those

expressed hope that a “spirit of openness, transparency

who hate us seriously,” he said. “The litmus test for being

and trust” can help us navigate difficult conversations

a Catholic is can you love someone who hates you?”

• Facilitate conversations around proactively advancing women to higher levels of leadership in the Church in answer to their baptismal call.

PRIORITIZE WELLNESS

LEVERAGE TECHNOLOGY FOR EVANGELIZATION • Build upon the technological and social media advances parishes and dioceses have made during the pandemic to reach people where they are • Push beyond comfort zones and “business as usual” approaches to be more creative in evangelization and pastoral accompaniment.

ENGAGE IN DIALOGUE

and painful topics.

• Create forums and structures for people of differing ecclesial perspectives to engage in dialogue

Fr. Rolheiser pointed to a cultural and political

• Listen to those who have left the Church about their decision to leave and identify actions to address the issues involved.

atmosphere rife with suspicion as a barrier to healing and renewal.

• Identify and implement ways to build a greater sense of community and Christian journey into the parish • Ask who is missing from the table and take actions to ensure those individuals are at the table moving forward

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• Convene parish and diocesan forums that bring Catholics across the political spectrum together in respectful dialogue and listening.

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SESSI O N 2

Stewardship of People

“People are the Church’s most important asset,” said

of Christ is not whole when we are missing inclusion

Mar Muñoz-Visoso of the United States Conference

and diversity.” When we value inclusion, it is tangibly

of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). “It’s important for those

expressed in diverse leadership and in how budgets are

seeking to be good stewards to have the knowledge and

prioritized. An “examination of conscience,” she said,

the good sense of who are the members of the local

at a personal, parish, and diocesan level is needed.

Church, and who is represented, who is unrecognized or untapped, or worst, unwelcome.”

Mady also recommended seeing “the adjacent possible” — a mindset of looking two steps ahead for inclusion

Muñoz-Visoso, who serves as Executive Director of

opportunities, even if an immediate solution doesn’t

the Secretariat for Cultural Diversity in the Church at

present itself. Moving toward greater diversity is

the USCCB, moderated an engaging discussion about

always a work in progress and requires intentionality.

stewardship of people and inclusive management

“Anytime I come to a table I ask ‘who is not here?’”

with an expert panel that included Ellen Mady of the

Mady said.

Diocese of Pittsburgh, Susan Pascoe, an Australian who serves on the methodology commission for the

Stewardship in Practice

Vatican’s Synod of Bishops, and Gene McQuade, a

Susan Pascoe of the Vatican Synod of Bishops framed

retired corporate leader at Citibank.

her remarks by highlighting lessons learned from The Light from the Southern Cross: Promoting Co-Responsible

Discerning and making decisions together, Muñoz-

Governance in the Catholic Church in Australia, a report

Visoso highlighted, reflects a style of synodality and

released in 2020 by the Australian Catholic Bishops

“implies the need to examine inclusion and diversity

Conference and Catholic Religious Australia.

in Church governance and leadership roles, and to act decisively.”

An Inclusive Church

The five-year effort, prompted by clergy sexual abuse and institutional failures, undertook what Pascoe called “a steep learning that led to a self examination

Ellen Mady, chancellor for the Diocese of Pittsburgh,

and a movement toward a great hope for the future.”

recommended thinking about why we care about

The Australian report underscored the importance of

diversity as a Church before implementing the specifics

collegiality, synodality, stewardship, and dialogue.

of a strategy or plan.

“It was a way of asserting what good practice looks “The core value we need to center with inclusion,

like,” Pascoe remarked.

participation and diversity goes back to the dignity of the human person,” she said. “If we step back,

As a member of the Synod of Bishops’ methodology

people are the essence of the Church. Vatican II asked

commission, Pascoe also shared how the Synod’s

us to make this a priority. We don’t find a lot about

preparatory document emphasizes the principle of

stewardship of organizational structures in the Gospel,

inclusion. The question of how to reach people who

but we do find a lot about stewardship of people.”

do not feel heard by the Church, she said, is critical to building a culture of discernment, dialogue, and co-

In order to move beyond what Mady called a “country

responsibility.

club mentality” that sorts people according to perceived status, the Church must remember that “the body 18

Mar Muñoz-Visoso

“We are called to embody these values, behaviors 19

RECOMMENDATIONS Stewardship of People Mar Muñoz-Visoso

Susan Pascoe

ADVANCE ONGOING CLERGY FORMATION • Put into action The Basic Plan for the Ongoing Formation of Priests to ensure all priests engage in comprehensive, systematic and practical ongoing formation • Reform seminary curriculum to prioritize themes of synodality, praxis, inclusion of women, and co-responsibility with laity

Gene McQuade

Ellen Mady

• Establish managerial and leadership standards and best practices as well as methods of review to ensure Catholic institutions are meeting these standards • Provide regular ongoing leadership and management training to clergy

and norms that should be part of our DNA,” Pascoe

accountability, he noted, diversity is something that is

emphasized.

talked about but not achieved.

• Evaluate, and if necessary revise, priestly formation to ensure clergy are equipped to pastor in a synodal Church that listens to those on the margins and leads co-responsibly with the laity.

PRIORITIZE DIVERSITY Gene McQuade, retired Citibank CEO, board chair of

McQuade also spoke to the importance of inclusion

Catholic Charities in New York City and member of

and diversity on finance councils.

Leadership Roundtable’s board of directors, shared his

• Ensure inclusion in parishes and dioceses by hiring, supporting, and retaining diverse leaders • Actively welcome individuals of all races, ethnicities, ages, genders, and sexual orientations to full participation in the life of the Church

experiences with making inclusion and diversity a priority

“Finance councils are a well-established concept in

in the corporate world and in Catholic organizations. He

Church managerial structure, but in my opinion not fully

noted that corporations and the Church both have top-

utilized,” he said, stressing that finance councils should

down, hierarchical structures that are also moving toward

“reflect a fair representation of our diocesan body.”

• Create and implement accountability mechanisms to assess whether stated goals of inclusion and diverse leadership are being achieved

McQuade added: “It often takes stepping outside of

• Identify opportunities — such as the global Synod — to include non-Catholics and those disconnected from the Church and to listen to their perspectives.

greater collaboration and co-responsibility.

“The management challenge is to embed diversity

our comfort zones and taking some chances to get

and inclusion into the culture,” McQuade said. “My

a fairer representation.” Finance councils play “an

experience is that it’s critical but very difficult to

important canonical role,” he said, and should work

achieve this embedding, and it’s where leadership and

in tandem with following best financial practices and

accountability come in. We need to make it a priority

benchmarks.

and measure the results.” Without clear goals and

It’s important for those seeking to be good stewards to have the knowledge and the good sense of who are the members of the local Church, and who is represented, who is unrecognized or untapped, or worst, unwelcome.

• Intentionally open seats at the leadership table to include Hispanic/Latino, Asian/Pacific Islander, Indigenous, and Black Catholics, as well as young adults and women

ESTABLISH FORMATION OPPORTUNITIES FOR CO-RESPONSIBILITY • Develop ongoing training for finance and pastoral councils to help members better carry out their role in stewarding the Church co-responsibly with bishops and pastors • Build the capacity of those who serve on finance and parish councils by providing the tools necessary to effectively operate, including training, access to documents, regular discussions, engagement with the bishop, pastor, and staff • Offer ongoing formation to finance council members to keep them responsive to the needs of the diocesan or parish community.

– M A R M U ÑOZ -V I S O S O 20

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SESSI O N 3

Stewardship of Financial Resources

The need for competent stewardship of financial

pandemic. He cited a 2006 study from his Center

resources is more important than ever as parishes and

that found 85 percent of dioceses had a case of

dioceses navigate a post-pandemic reality. Moderator

embezzlement in a 5-year span. There are now better

Patrick Markey, managing partner at Leadership

financial controls and oversight in many dioceses,

Roundtable, began with a summary of how the

Manion said, but “the Covid pandemic has brought

2020 Catholic Partnership Summit led Leadership

back this risk and there are tons of people in our

Roundtable to convene financial leaders from across

churches who are experiencing economic pressure

the country in developing the Coalition for Ethical

now and the stress of dealing with the pandemic.”

Financial Management in the Church. Three priorities grew from this work: • Strengthening diocesan financial councils with a special focus on finance chairs • Determining, disseminating, and supporting best financial practices • Creating an online platform to collect and publish financial benchmarks and performance indicators.

A study Manion directed with a colleague, conducted in the three months after pandemic lockdowns began in March of 2020, analyzed Covid’s impact on parish collections. On average, collections were down 7 percent across 177 parishes studied. One in five parishes faced significant declines of 50 percent or more. But 16 percent of parishes experienced an increase in collections. Manion noted that the difference in those successful parishes was not determined by size, location, or whether they had a parish school. Parishes that adjusted quickly, became

Not long after the 2020 Catholic Partnership Summit,

creative, and demonstrated what Pope Francis would

“a new reality struck,” as Markey described it.

call a “missionary impulse,” he said, flourished.

“The pandemic, political and social unrest, the closure

“It’s an example of accountability where people

of churches, and the halting of operations led Church

voted with their dollars, whether consciously or not,

leaders to focus on financial sustainability and exposed

and held leaders accountable in ways that I think is

financial practices that were outdated or vulnerable,”

exciting to the mission of the Church,” he said.

he said, and pointed to the vision of Pope Francis as a source of inspiration. “As Pope Francis continues to tell us throughout this crisis, we can emerge from it better or worse, we can recognize where we have fallen short and set a course for improvement, also in the area of financial management.”

A New Reality Matthew Manion, Director of the Center for Church Management at Villanova University, noted that while the Church has made significant progress in fostering greater accountability and financial transparency, challenges remain that are exacerbated by the 22

Dome of Saint Peter’s Basilica in Rome. Credit: Gabriella Clare Marino

Transparency and Accountability Manion cited the axiom “what gets measured, gets managed” in referencing a scorecard from Voice of the Faithful that evaluates financial transparency in dioceses. Over the past four years, the average score for transparency has improved for all dioceses, and five dioceses had a perfect score last year.

“Financial transparency leads to greater generosity from the People of God,” he said, citing research that shows people are more likely to give when they trust organizations are accountable and transparent.

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Financial transparency leads to greater generosity from the People of God – M AT T H E W M A N ION

Perry sees value in the fact that finance council

in the city’s poorest urban areas. In addition, Cardinal

members are drawn not only from the field of finance,

Blase Cupich, Archbishop of Chicago, and other

but also from the sectors of technology, change

archdiocesan leaders continue to lobby for a tuition-

management, human resources, and marketing.

tax credit program for low-income families. Perry said this year the archdiocese will receive about $20 million

Perry describes Chicago, like many dioceses, as a

in funds from the tuition-tax credit program, a critical

Manion emphasized that while financial transparency

maintain our parishes and schools, and to focus on

“turnaround project.” After examining various trends

source of revenue that helps to keep students in the

is crucial, it’s also not sufficient.

faith formation and evangelization.”

in the archdiocese, the finance team determined that

city’s Catholic schools.

its solvency could be in jeopardy. Now after two years “Many of our people don’t know how to read financial

Hiring competent leaders with financial expertise is

of planning, the archdiocese is halfway through a

For dioceses to fulfill their mission of evangelization

reports. There is a real need to take the next step from

critical to creating a culture of accountability and

consolidation of parishes and a renewal program tied

they have to be trusted by the people they serve.

transparency if we want to promote co-responsibility

transparency. But Jensen observed that in hiring for

to an upcoming fundraising campaign.

Ethical stewardship of all the resources entrusted to a

and help make better connections between the numbers,

key positions or in contract agreements with vendors

and the dollars, and the mission of the Church, and our

“relationships within the Church sometimes take

The finance council is also “getting creative on

presentations and table discussions during this Summit

impact on the world,” he said.

priority over making good decisions.” Jensen cited

partnering and politics,” Perry said. The archdiocese

session, offered concrete ways for dioceses and parishes

this as one reason why financial councils should have

recently entered into an operating agreement with

to earn the trust urgently needed to carry out their

conflict-of-interest statements.

the Big Shoulders Fund, which gives the nonprofit

mission with vigor.

Manion drew from the Gospels to emphasize his point:

diocese is crucial for establishing a basis for trust. The

organization more responsibility over Catholic schools

“Proper stewardship of our financial resources in ways that are accountable, transparent, and co-responsible

Jim Perry, founder of the financial firm Madison

are a lot like the good seed in the Parable of the Sower.

Dearborn Partners and member of Leadership

When we do it right it produces fruit for the mission of

Roundtable’s board of directors, shared his

the Church.”

experiences serving on the finance council in the Archdiocese of Chicago. Church finance leaders often

Ministering through Financial Management Elizabeth Jensen, Chief Financial Officer for the Diocese of Orange, provided a diocesan perspective on stewarding finances during these challenging times.

When the pandemic began, a focus on cash-flow forecasting quickly became a priority. The diocese created a database for weekly parish collection figures. The bishop’s leadership team started meeting daily instead of monthly. She acknowledged there is often tension between pastoral ministry and the responsibility to ensure the diocese is on sound

in order to ensure the solvency, stability, and growth of their diocese.

“We have an Archbishop who is comfortable delegating responsibility to capable leaders,” Perry said. “Our financial council serves more than ever before as a sort of board of directors, not

Matt Manion

Jim Perry

Elizabeth Jensen

and reporting. The Cardinal reserves all decision rights, but his team knows to treat the council as it would a board in a for-profit situation. Members

“Financial management is a ministry,” Jensen said.

leadership on commitments that delve more deeply

resources enables our clergy to help those in need,

Pat Markey

narrowly scoped to oversee financial management

financial ground. Jensen sees this as a false divide.

“The ability to receive, grow and steward financial

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have “to do unpopular but necessary things,” he said,

are encouraged to ask tough questions and take into all key diocesan functions.”

25

RECOMMENDATIONS Stewardship of Financial Resources ALIGN MISSION AND RESOURCES

EQUIPPING PEOPLE FOR FISCAL STEWARDSHIP

• Conduct an analysis of the gap between the stated values and the allocation of resources in parishes and dioceses, and identify steps to maximize consistency between values and use of resources

• Hire qualified and committed professionals for the management of parish and diocesan administrations

• Manage the Church’s real estate to ensure its use consistently aligns with the mission of the Church • Assign priests and pastors so that their talents are matched with the needs and culture of a parish • Communicate openly how the parish or diocese is supporting the mission of the Church through financial stewardship • Implement a process based on standardized criteria for successful pastoral leadership for evaluating ordained and lay parish leaders and collecting feedback from the parish community and staff.

• Offer ongoing training and competitive salaries and benefits to attract and retain highly-competent personnel • Empower diocesan and parish finance councils to examine financial statements, accounting practices, real estate transactions, risk management, and human resource management to ensure compliance with ethical practices • Promote networking opportunities for dioceses to share best practices for fiscal management, transparency, and ethical practices, and encourage all dioceses to participate.

ESTABLISH STANDARDS, ACCOUNTABILITY, AND REPORTING PRACTICES • Develop accurate position descriptions for parish and diocesan staff and volunteers to maintain consistency between the individual’s skills and the requirements of their position • Publish and make accessible annual financial statements • Adopt a pastoral planning process to include as many people as possible in the discernment of parish or diocesan goals and priorities • Draft budgets based on the established goals and priorities of the parish or diocese • Base budget decisions on the mission and goals of the Church to ensure that priorities and goals are funded • Require conflict of interest disclosure for all finance council members and anyone who has fiscal decision-making capacity in parishes and dioceses.

Photo Credit Mathew Schwartz on Unsplash

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SESSI O N 4

A global institution with a presence in nearly every part

Council, especially the Council’s emphasis on the Church

Stewardship of Potential

of the world, the Catholic Church has spiritual, social,

as the People of God. “The Synod is a call to be an

and financial resources that reflect abundant potential.

inclusive Church: young, old, priest, bishop, lay woman,

How to effectively steward this vast potential was

layman. We are all called to journey together,” she said.

the theme of a panel discussion moderated by Louis Damani Jones, the Program and Mission Alignment

In order to put into practice the principles of mutual

Coordinator for Catholic Urban Programs, a social

listening, discernment and collaboration, Sr. Becquart

ministry of the Diocese of Belleville.

highlighted the importance of leaders embracing coresponsibility and inclusion. “The way to implement

“Our challenge is to instill the whispering of the Spirit

synodality is to call everyone to participate so we are

into our processes, budgets, and programs,” Jones said

truly a missionary Church,” she remarked. “We are

in opening the discussion. “How can we be people of

called to be protagonists.”

conversion personally and institutionally?”

Sr. Nathalie Becquart, XMCJ, an undersecretary to the General Secretariat of the Synod of Bishops, reflected on how synodality is an integral part of stewarding the Church’s potential.

A Roadmap of Possibility Amy Rauenhorst Goldman, CEO of GHR Foundation, described Pope Francis’ vision for the Church as “a roadmap” that can inspire us to understand stewardship of potential more deeply.

Our Call to Synodality

“Pope Francis also gives us a reality check to see

“Synodality is a way of being ‘Church’ according to the

that while the challenges are vast, positive change

dynamic of listening together to the voice of the Holy

is possible,” Goldman said. Stewarding potential,

Spirit,” Sr. Becquart said. “I want to spread the fire of

she noted, has to do with not only strengthening

synodality that I have received through my experiences,

individuals, but expanding the effectiveness and

which is the joy of the Gospel and missionary zeal.”

capacity of structures and institutions.

The path of synodality is a fruit of the Second Vatican

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Bramante Staircase at the Pio-Clementine Museum in Vatican City

Sr. Nathalie Bequart, XMCJ

Louis Damani Jones

Kelli Reagan Hickey

Amy Goldman

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She highlighted two GHR priorities from the foundation’s

as climate change. “This is a moment to reimagine what

“Prepare the Future” portfolios as examples of

is possible. Let’s partner boldly across the Church and

stewarding potential and cultivating the resources of

with local communities to realize this prophetic future.”

the Church’s vast network in service of the common as the Global Catholic Climate Movement, is “tapping

Framing Potential through Catholic Social Teaching

the unparalleled depth and breadth of the Catholic

Kelli Reagan, Research Associate in the Center for

Church globally to take climate action as individuals and

Social Concerns at the University of Notre Dame,

leaders of organizations,” Goldman said. FaithInvest,

spoke about Catholic Social Teaching as a framework

an international nonprofit membership organization

for understanding stewardship.

good. The Laudato Si Movement, previously known

for religious groups and faith-based investors, fosters investing “rooted in solidarity, equity, and dignity.”

“In the Catholic social tradition, we encounter the moral

These efforts, she said, demonstrate “creativity, urgency,

potential of the Church to inform, inspire and change

and agility,” as they draw on the capacity of millions

lives,” Reagan said. “Stewarding the potential of the

of people and billions of dollars in resources to impact

Church means stewarding a moral imagination based

change at the local, national, and global level.

on such abiding principles as the dignity of the human person and the preferential option for the poor.”

A Church that lives her teachings will be a Church that rebuilds her trust and becomes worthy of longterm sustainable generosity. This will be a transformational Church and a Church worthy of her mission.

– K E L L I R E AGA N

Catholic Social Teaching is not meant to be the “Church’s best kept secret,” but put into practice in

Stewardship of Potential IMPLEMENT AN INCLUSIVE SYNODAL PROCESS • Stimulate interest and broad participation in the global Synod journey, communicating the unique opportunity for lay Catholics to share their ideas and perspectives through parish meetings and other formats • Communicate the significance of the ongoing Synod process to help establish a culture of inclusion in how the Church discerns the prompting of the Holy Spirit • Ask “Who are we missing?” from Synodal conversations and take intentional steps to include them in the process • Provide pastors with tools and training to actively cast a wider net to ensure diverse participation in the Synodal process • Train leaders to effectively facilitate engaging Synod consultations and to faithfully report on results.

PARTNER BOLDLY AND BROADLY • Establish structures of co-responsibility to infuse synodality into the culture, policies, and practices of parishes and dioceses

direct ways.

• Study the inclusive governance of Eastern Rite Churches and other Roman Rite Churches to consider what practices can become a template for the Church

“Our financial decisions say something about our values,

• Ensure the Synod remains an ongoing process rather than a single program

beliefs and faith commitments,” Reagan emphasized.

“Our budgets are where the rubber hits the road.”

• Develop connections among dioceses, parishes, and Catholic leaders that encourage resource-sharing and collaboration on common themes raised during the Synod.

But incorporating Catholic teaching into leadership decisions is often a challenge, Reagan noted. In her

Goldman shared her optimism for the potential of

research interviews with chief financial officers from

capacity building in Church networks when it comes

Catholic institutions, she found that “decision-makers

to interreligious cooperation, and racial and social

expect little from Catholic Social Teaching when

transformation.

it comes to financial stewardship.” While Catholic teaching is sometimes viewed as too “idealistic,” she

“Through the Synod we can hear the voices around the

RECOMMENDATIONS

APPROACH STEWARDSHIP WITH AN ABUNDANCE MINDSET • Root financial investments and management of assets in the principles of Catholic Social Teaching, including solidarity, equity, and dignity • Utilize creativity, urgency, and agility in stewardship • Approach parish and diocesan budgeting and use of resources with an abundance mindset.

invited Summit participants to rediscover its power.

world across a range of issues,” she said. “I don’t think we quite understand the power that has.”

“A Church that lives her teachings will be a Church that rebuilds her trust and becomes worthy of long-

30

She urged Church leaders to “shift our mindset from

term sustainable generosity,” Reagan said. “This will

scarcity to abundance” as we put Catholic Social

be a transformational Church and a Church worthy of

Teaching into practice on urgent moral challenges such

her mission.”

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A View from

ROME

Summit participants in Rome

Welcoming leaders in Rome to the Catholic Partnership Summit Overlooking Saint Peter’s Square with the iconic Saint

During the two-day Summit, 30 leaders joined the

“The chance to gather in-person, at a stunning venue,

Students to Enliven the Ecclesial Mission). ESTEEM is

Peter’s Basilica rising in the background, a group of

event from Rome, meeting at the Center for Missionary

and meet with leaders such as Sr. Nathalie was a

a program of Leadership Roundtable in collaboration

leaders gathered in-person in Rome on September 28

Animation (CIAM) at the Pontifical Urbaniana

deeply meaningful opportunity,” said Kerry Robinson,

with Saint Thomas More Catholic Chapel and Center

and 29 as part of the 2021 Catholic Partnership Summit.

University. Those gathered were able to virtually

an executive partner at Leadership Roundtable.

at Yale University.

attend the first and third sessions of the Summit, and

“It allowed for a prominent and diverse group of

participate in special receptions each evening.

international leaders to strengthen relationships and

The virtual format of the 2021 Partnership Summit afforded Leadership Roundtable a unique opportunity

32

Among those who attended included leaders from:

imagine new ways of serving the Church in the Holy

• Vatican dicasteries

to involve even more leaders than in the past,

Additionally, Sr. Nathalie Becquart, XMCJ, under-

See and across the globe through the instrument of

• international Catholic charitable agencies

particularly through an in-person gathering in Rome

secretary to the General Secretariat of the Vatican

Leadership Roundtable.”

• religious orders

that connected to the main event online.

Synod of Bishops gave a special presentation to those

• the diplomatic corps.

gathered in Rome about the 2021-2023 Synod and

Robinson hosted the event together with Nicole

Pope Francis’ call to a synodal journey.

Perone, national coordinator of ESTEEM (Engaging 33

About the

J. Donald Monan, SJ Distinguished Catholic Philanthropy Medal

Leadership Roundtable was honored to present the J. Donald Monan, SJ Distinguished Catholic Philanthropy Medal to three Catholic families who have collaborated with Church leaders to make a significant impact on a parish, diocese, or other Catholic ministry in the area of Church management and leadership.

“...those we honor this evening are distinguished for their deep commitment to serve the people of God through their generous and steadfast investment of their time, talent, and treasure.”

–A RCHBISHOP CHR ISTOPHE PIER R E, A POSTOL IC N UNCIO TO THE UN ITED STATES

Leadership Roundtable was honored to present the J. Donald Monan, SJ Distinguished Catholic Philanthropy Medal during the 2021 Catholic Partnership Summit. The Monan Medal seeks to inspire a culture of giving that promotes excellence in Church management and leadership. We look to recognize outstanding Catholic philanthropists who exemplify the legacy of the former president of Boston College, Fr. J. Donald Monan, SJ. Fr. Monan’s life was

2021 Honorees

a living testimony to how best practices, implemented in collaboration between clergy and laity, can transform a Catholic institution to bring excellence to management and mission.

The J. Donald Monan, SJ Distinguished Catholic Philanthropy Medal recipients are Catholic philanthropists who have collaborated with Church leaders to make a significant impact on a parish, diocese, or other Catholic ministry in the area of Church management or leadership.

Kathleen McCarthy Kostlan

John “Jack” and Eileen Connors 34

Lewis S. Ranieri 35

LIST OF EXPERT CONTRIBUTORS Sr. Nathalie Becquart, XMCJ

Amy Rauenhorst Goldman

Under-Secretary to General Secretariat, Vatican Synod of Bishops

CEO and Chair, GHR Foundation

Geoffrey Boisi

President, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and Archbishop of Los Angeles

Founder, Leadership Roundtable

Michael Brough

Archbishop José Gomez

Cardinal Séan O’Malley, OFM Cap Archbishop of Boston

Susan Pascoe Member, Commission on Methodology, Vatican Synod of Bishops

Executive Partner, Leadership Roundtable

Cardinal Wilton Gregory Archbishop of Washington

Nicole Perone

John Carr

Sr. Mary Haddad, RSM

Co-Director, Initiative on Catholic Social Thought and Public Life at Georgetown University

President and CEO, Catholic Health Association

National Coordinator, ESTEEM (Engaging Students to Enliven the Ecclesial Mission)

Kim Daniels

President, Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities

Co-Director, Initiative on Catholic Social Thought and Public Life at Georgetown University

Rev. Dennis Holtschneider, CM

Elizabeth Jensen

Jim Perry

At the end of the Catholic Partnership Summit, Leadership Roundtable shared the

Founder, Madison Dearborn Partners

organization’s preliminary commitments in response to what had transpired during

Archbishop Christophe Pierre

the convening:

Apostolic Nuncio to the United States

Chief Financial Officer, Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange

Gloria Purvis

Louis Damani Jones

Kelli Reagan

Executive Partner, Leadership Roundtable

Program and Mission Alignment Coordinator, Catholic Urban Programs

Research Associate, Catholic Social Teaching, Center for Social Concerns, University of Notre Dame

Sr. Sharon Euart

John Matthew Knowles

Kerry Robinson

Executive Director, Resource Center for Religious Institutes

Executive Director, Diocesan Fiscal Management Conference

Executive Partner, Leadership Roundtable

Geno Fernandez

Gene McQuade

Rev. Ron Rolheiser, OMI

Co-Chair, Leadership Roundtable Board of Directors

Retired CEO, Citibank

Author

Rev. Michael Garanzini, SJ

Ellen Mady

Elisabeth Román

Chancellor, Diocese of Pittsburgh

President, National Catholic Council for Hispanic Ministry

Cardinal Timothy Dolan Archbishop of New York

Margi English

President, Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities

Matthew Manion

John Gehring

Faculty Director, Center for Church Management, Villanova University

Catholic Program Director, Faith in Public Life

Patrick Markey

Katie Diller Gleason

Managing Partner, Leadership Roundtable

Director of Campus Ministry, Diocese of Lansing

Elizabeth McCaul

Leadership Roundtable’s Next Steps

Host, The Gloria Purvis Podcast

Kim Smolik Executive Partner, Leadership Roundtable

Cardinal Joseph Tobin, CSsR

1 2 3

Expand the Coalition for Ethical Financial Management in the Church and support enacting its recommended actions Support a culture of co-responsibility, transparency, and accountability Expand representation in Church Leadership including: a. Growing the ESTEEM program for young adults b. Growing the Latino Pastoral Leaders Initiative

4 5 6 7

Welcome more women, young adults, and people of color to Leadership Roundtable’s staff and board Aid the Synodal process globally and in the U.S. Produce Spanish-language resources and services Produce A Pastor’s Toolbox book for seminarians

Archbishop of Newark

Co-Chair, Leadership Roundtable Board of Directors 36

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Leadership Roundtable Next Steps

Diocese of Austin cohort (Bishop Joe S. Vásquez at center) — Photo credit Gabriel Lujan

Leadership Roundtable Next Steps

ESTEEM participants take part in the annual Capstone Conference

Grow the Latino Pastoral Leaders Initiative

Expand the ESTEEM Program

The Latino Pastoral Leaders Initiative is a service of Leadership Roundtable, generously

Engaging Students to Enliven the Ecclesial Mission (ESTEEM) develops the capacity of

funded by Lilly Endowment Inc. and other donors. The initiative works to increase

college students to take leadership roles in parishes after they graduate. The program

access to critical leadership development and pastoral management training, coaching,

trains, encourages, and supports young adults at colleges and universities in their

peer support, and mentorship for Hispanic/Latino Catholic pastoral leaders — lay,

baptismal call to use their gifts and talents in service to the Church. Currently, the

religious and clergy. The Latino Pastoral Leaders Initiative seeks to build better capacity

program serves a broad diversity of students on both public and private campuses across

for a new culture of leadership, as well as respond to the key priorities identified at the

the United States. ESTEEM is currently serving students at 20 colleges and universities

conclusion of the V National Encuentro for Hispanic Ministry, the promotion of best

in the United States and the Bahamas, and is working to expand to additional campuses

practices in Church management and the development of leadership formation among

in 2022. Leadership Roundtable is committed to working with our partner, the Saint

Hispanic/Latino leaders. Leadership Roundtable has completed two cohorts of the

Thomas More Catholic Chapel and Center at Yale University, to expand ESTEEM’s reach

Latino Pastoral Leaders Initiative and has a third cohort in progress. Additional cohorts

and staffing capacity. Learn more about ESTEEM by visiting: esteemlead.org.

are planned for 2022.

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Leadership Roundtable Next Steps

Leadership Roundtable Next Steps

For a Synodal Church: Support the global Synod process Leadership Roundtable is inspired by Pope Francis’ vision for the global Church and Carol Fowler delivers a Toolbox for Pastoral Management session in Milwaukee, WI

his call for all Catholics to engage in a synodal journey. As a mission in service to the Church, and in conversation with Archbishop José Gomez, president of the United

Produce A Pastor’s Toolbox book for seminarians and Hispanic/Latino Leaders

and expertise in support of the Synod process in the United States and abroad. Drawing upon a long-standing working relationship with many Vatican dicasteries, including the Secretariat of the Synod of Bishops, we began working with the Vatican and the USCCB in 2021 to help dioceses implement the Synod process.

We leveraged our 16-year history and expertise convening Catholic leaders in the spirit

The Toolbox for Pastoral Management is a comprehensive program that introduces the

of synodality, and since the Summit, have produced two documents that are being used

key elements of pastoral leadership and management to priests, seminarians, and lay

throughout the United States and the world to assist in Synod consultations:

pastoral leaders. A customized residential program, the Toolbox offers a formational

• A guide for Facilitating Synodal Consultations, available in English and Spanish

and education process that attends fully to each participant as an individual and covers

• A guide for Reporting Synodal Consultations, available in English and Spanish.

essential management topics critical to the pastoral role. Participants engage in a series of presentations that provide practical, ready-to-use tools for the busy pastoral leader.

Prayer, the sacraments, and fellowship round out this initiative.

A Pastor’s Toolbox is the foundational text that accompanies this program. Leadership Roundtable currently has produced two versions of A Pastor’s Toolbox and is working to create a version of the book specifically for seminarians and a version specifically for Hispanic/Latino leaders that is written in Spanish.

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States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), we sought ways to offer our resources

Visit leadershiproundtable.org to download these guides Additionally, we convened leaders from national Catholic organizations, movements, and institutions to engage them in the Synod process and are working to facilitate future gatherings of these leaders. We continue to be a collaborator with the bishops’ conference and will help it develop an online system for receiving Synod reports from the nearly 200 dioceses in the United States.

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Board of Directors

Staff

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

EXECUTIVE PARTNERS

Geno Fernandez

Elizabeth McCaul

​​Michael Brough

Kerry Robinson

Co-Chair of the Board

Co-Chair of the Board

Executive Partner

Executive Partner

Kathleen McChesney

Robert Gasser

Margi English

Kim Smolik

Secretary of the Board

Treasurer of the Board

Executive Partner

Executive Partner

Geoffrey T. Boisi

James M. Dubik

Patrick Markey

Founder

Member

Managing Partner

Patrick Markey Managing Partner

STAFF DIRECTORS

Fr. Kevin Kennedy

Andrea Blanco

Joanne Ruddy

Senior Leadership

Program Manager, Latino

Convenings and

Director

Pastoral Leaders Initiative

Meetings Manager

Rev. John P. Beal

Bryan F. Grane

Jim Perry

Kevin K. Carton

Thomas J. Healey

Joseph Donald Regan

Lisa Metcalfe

Kate Alexander

Brittany Czekaj

Kendra E. Davenport

Rev. J. Bryan Hehir

Paul C. Reilly

Director of Services

Senior Communications

Development Manager

Daniel Denihan

Susan King

Brian B. Reynolds

and Programs

and Marketing Manager

Kevin J. Dwyer

Gene McQuade

British Robinson

Rev. Michael J. Garanzini, SJ

Michael Montelongo

Rev. John J. Wall

Nicole Perone Deacon Patrick Stokely

Ana Larmour

National Coordinator,

Senior Program Manager

Finance and Operations

ESTEEM

Manager Peter Denio Program Manager

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Thank You to Our 2021 Sponsors PRESENTING SPONSOR Geoffrey T. Boisi Elaine and Ken Langone PRESENTING ROME SPONSORS

S AV E T H E D AT E

Elizabeth McCaul and Frank Ingrassia

September 22-23, 2022

BENEFACTOR SPONSORS Dan and Kathleen Denihan PATRON SPONSORS

2022 Catholic Partnership Summit

Living Synodal Leadership: Our Call to a Unified Church Fairmont Hotel, Washington, D.C.

Dee and Kevin Conway

The Lynch Foundation

Healey Family Foundation

Peggy and Gene McQuade Jim and Molly Perry

CATHOLIC LEADER SPONSOR Suzanne and Kevin Dwyer

PARTNER SPONSORS Dr. Geno Fernandez

Loyola University Chicago

Frank B. Fuhrer

Brenda and Bob Popeo

Gallagher | Global Religious Practice

The Raskob Foundation for Catholic Activities, Inc.

Edward L. Hennessey, Jr.

William E. Simon Foundation

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INDIVIDUAL SPONSORS Archdiocese of Louisville

Charles McDonough

Rev. John P. Beal

Eileen and Leslie Quick III

Kevin Carton

Peter S. Robinson

Cynthia Lee Egan

Sacred Heart Seminary and School of Theology

John and Maureen Hurley

Peter Steinfels

Susan and Mike King

Fr. Jack Wall

Kinsale Consulting

W. Brian Walsh John A. Werwaiss

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In partnership with lay, ordained, and religious leaders and organizations across all sectors of the Catholic community in the United States and Rome, Leadership Roundtable seeks to elevate and implement best practices in management and leadership to establish a culture of co-responsible, servant leadership for a healthy, thriving Church in the U.S.

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